Imagine walking into the canteen after recess and finding it looking like the aftermath of a food fight - spilled drinks, wrappers everywhere and a stray nugget on the floor. Embarrassing, right? That was our school canteen just last month.

As prefects, we knew something had to change. That's when we launched the Canteen Cleanup Challenge. Each class took turns keeping the canteen spotless after recess. At first, it wasn't easy. "Why do we have to clean up?" some students complained

But one day, a P4 student had a brilliant idea: "Why not make it fun?" His class turned clean-up into a game, timing how fast they could clear tables and bins. Soon, other classes joined in. Teams started competing to leave the cleanest canteen. Even the teachers got involved, cheering us on.

By the end of the month, the canteen sparkled. But what stood out wasn't just the spotless tables - it was the pride students felt in working together and respecting shared spaces.

Now, imagine our school as a puzzle. Every clean table and kind gesture is a piece that fits perfectly. Together, let's complete the picture of a school we're proud to call ours - one small action at a time!

Being a good neighbour may seem simple, but it has a big impact on those around us. Last week, I helped my elderly neighbour, Madam Ling, carry her groceries upstairs. "Thank you," she said with a warm smile. "I don't know what I would've done without your help." That small moment reminded me how even tiny actions can make a difference.

Being considerate - like keeping noise levels down, returning borrowed items or even just greeting your neighbours - goes a long way. I once borrowed a ladder and returned it with a thank-you note. My neighbour, Mr Rajoo, smiled and said, "Come over anytime!"

Communities thrive when we look out for one another. Whether it's organising a block party, sharing tools or simply saying "hello," these acts build trust and create a sense of belonging.

So, what's the lesson here for all of us?

Being a good neighbour doesn't take much - just a little kindness, a bit of effort and maybe a ladder or two! Let's all do our part to make our neighbourhoods friendlier and more fun for everyone.

I hope you find these small tips of mine useful!

My first speaking contest was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life. Standing backstage, I could hear the hum of the audience and feel my heart pounding in my chest.

My topic was "The Power of Kindness," and though I had practised countless times, doubts flooded my mind as I waited for my turn.

When my name was called, I walked onto the stage, took a deep breath, and began. At first, my voice wavered, but as I started sharing personal stories about small acts of kindness, I noticed the audience nodding and smiling. Their energy gave me confidence, and I spoke with more conviction.

By the end of my speech, I felt a wave of relief and pride. I didn't win first place, but that didn't matter. What I gained was far more valuable - the courage to stand up and speak, the knowledge that my voice could inspire others, and the realisation that every big step begins with a small moment of bravery.

Now, when I speak, I remind myself of that first contest and how it taught me to find my voice, even when I felt afraid.

Have you ever tried building a spaghetti tower? Sounds fun, right?

Now imagine building one tall enough to hold a marshmallow on top. That was our group project in the Student Leadership Camp - and trust me, it was way harder than it sounds!

At first, it was chaos. "Let's make a base shaped like a triangle!" someone suggested. "No, squares are stronger!" another teammate argued.

Meanwhile, spaghetti sticks were snapping, marshmallows were rolling off the table, and we were all just trying to keep the tower from collapsing.

After some trial and error and a lot of laughter, we realised we needed to work smarter. One person focused on stabilising the base, another reinforced the middle, and the rest of us added support beams.

By the end, our spaghetti tower wasn't just standing - it was the tallest one in class!

When the Camp Coach announced our team as the winner, we could not believe it. But what made us proud wasn't just the tower - it was how we worked together to make it happen.

As the saying goes, "Teamwork makes the dream work." And in our case, teamwork also made a wobbly spaghetti tower stand tall - and that's something worth celebrating!

I'm writing this on my first day of Primary 6, sitting at my usual spot near the classroom window. The morning sun is streaming in, and I can hear the Primary 1 students playing during their recess. Remember how tiny we once were?

This year feels different. Mrs Tan just told us that every moment counts as we prepare for PSLE. It's a bit scary, but also exciting. I've made some important promises to myself.

I want to complete my homework before playing games, help Mum more with house chores and practise my Chinese characters every day. Most importantly, I want to try my best without being too hard on myself.

Last night, Dad told me something interesting. "PSLE is just one journey of many," he said while helping me organise my new textbooks. "Focus on learning, not just scoring." I'm trying to remember that wisdom.

I wonder what you're doing now as you read this? Did we get into the secondary school we wanted? Did we keep our promises? Are you still sitting next to Li Ting? Does Mr Kumar still tell those funny science jokes?

Whatever happened, I hope we learned and grew stronger. I hope we made our family proud, not just through our grades, but through our efforts and attitude.

Stay brave and kind,

Me

I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but I quickly discovered that connecting with the elderly is about so much more than just helping out.

My friend, Aminah, showed me how powerful simple activities can be. We would organise board games, help with craft sessions and sometimes just sit and listen to the residents' amazing stories. "Sometimes, just spending time together is the best gift," Aminah would say.

We learned that caring isn't about grand gestures. It's about showing respect, bringing smiles and creating moments of joy. From helping the elderly residents with simple puzzles to assisting during mealtimes, we discovered the true meaning of compassion.

The elderly care centre staff appreciated our efforts, but what meant most were the warm smiles and grateful looks from the elderly residents we helped. We weren't just volunteers - we were listeners, friends and champions of connection. We were learning that empathy is the most important skill of all.

As our founding father Lee Kuan Yew once said, "The ultimate test of the value of any game is how it develops character." Sports are often described as a universal language - one that unites people and teaches invaluable lessons.

Today, I'd like to share a football experience that taught me about resilience, teamwork and the spirit of the game.

I'll never forget our match against our rival school last year. As the goalkeeper, I felt the weight of every cheer and expectation. With minutes left and the score tied, their striker sent a powerful shot toward our goal. I dived, stretched and deflected it out of bounds. The crowd erupted, and my teammates rushed over to celebrate. It was a thrilling moment, but it wasn't just about skill - it was about staying calm under pressure and trusting the hard work we had put in.

In the huddle afterward, Coach Lim reminded us that it wasn't the save or the goals that mattered most, but the spirit we brought - cheering each other on, working together and learning from mistakes.

Sports have taught me that winning isn't the only goal. It's about the discipline to improve, the resilience to keep going and the camaradene that builds lifelong friendships. These lessons shape who we are, long after the final whistle blows.

Thank you!

The house was filled with excitement and the delicious smell of traditional dishes being cooked.

My first task was to help my mother make ketupat. She showed me how to weave the leaves into neat little pouches. "Not like that," she said, laughing as I struggled. It took a few tries, and my first ketupat looked more like a tangled mess. "You're getting better," Mum encouraged, and after some guidance, I finally got the hang of it.

Next, I helped my aunt prepare rendang. The kitchen was busy as everyone chopped onions, blended spices and stirred the pot.

"Be careful with the spices!" my aunt warned as I added the chilli paste.

The rich, fragrant aroma of the simmering beef made my mouth water.

My cousins and I also helped bake the Hari Raya cakes. Rolling the dough and adding the finishing touches was messy but so much fun.

When we finally sat down together to enjoy the meal, I felt so proud seeing how everyone's efforts came together. Helping with the preparations reminded me that Hari Raya is about more than just the food - it's about family, gratitude and the joy of celebrating traditions together.